FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, June 14, 2011

CONTACT:
Margaret Hart, Communications Coordinator
651-201-6131, Margaret.hart@state.mn.us

Strawberry season running late, but looking great

Growers say harvest will start about three weeks later this year

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The wet, cool spring has delayed the growing season across Minnesota but experts say the strawberry crop should be just fine. Thaddeus McCamant of Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls consults berry growers statewide and says it’s unlikely many of their farms will be open for picking much before June 20.

“Even with some stretches of hot weather we’re still looking at a late start,” McCamant said. “And it’s one of those unusual years where berries in northern and southern Minnesota will all ripen about the same time.”

Grower Julie Townsend of Dassel Hillside Farm near Dassel, Minnesota, says last year’s strawberry harvest began around June 10 but she expects this year berries to ripen toward the end of June and continue into the first two weeks of July. Townsend reminds consumers that picking conditions can vary from farm to farm and change from day to day depending on weather and field conditions so she advises calling ahead to verify conditions and hours.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Minnesota Grown Directory is a great guide for consumers to locate a berry farm and plan a strawberry picking adventure. Searching online at www.minnesotagrown.com makes it easy to get directions and contact information. Consumers can also sign up online for the Pick-of-the-Month newsletter which features information on the strawberry season, berry recipes and storage tips.

For a free printed directory, call Explore Minnesota: 1-888-VISIT-MN (847-4866).

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